The Concern
Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries
Niagara County Residents
2005-2007
Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries are the leading cause of injury related
death in Niagara County. Crash related injuries are the 3rd leading cause of injury
related hospitalization and a leading cause of injury related emergency department
(ED) visits in Niagara County.
Crash-related injuries are not accidents! They are not random, uncontrollable
acts of fate, but occur in predictable patterns, with recognizable risk factors and
among identifiable populations. A crash-related injury is a predictable and
preventable event!
Magnitude of the Crash Problem
• Every month, because of a traffic-related
crash, an average of:
→ 2 Niagara County residents died
→ 15 Niagara County residents were
hospitalized
→ 177 Niagara County residents were
treated in an ED
• Annually, traffic crashes resulted in an
average of:
→ $4.1 million in hospitalization charges
 Approximately $188 thousand
was charged to publicly
funded programs, such as
Medicaid, Medicare, VA
health care, and corrections.
→ $1.6 million in ED charges
• 18% of hospitalized crash victims are
released to another hospital, rehabilitation
center or long term care, incurring
additional costs
20
Deaths
185
Hospitalizations
2,128
ED Visits
Unknown Number
Other Medical Treatment
or Untreated
Yearly Average Number
Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash-Related Injuries
Niagara County Residents, 2005-2007
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can result from traffic related crashes
and may result in the loss of independent function, requiring long-term care, and
increased life-long expenses.
⇒ Among Niagara County Residents that were
hospitalized following a traffic crash 42.6% were
diagnosed with a TBI, with more than half of
bicyclists sustaining a TBI.
⇒ The risk of TBI can be reduced by wearing your
seat belt!
⇒ Bicyclists and Motorcyclists who wear helmets
reduce their risk of a TBI!
Niagara County Residents
Motorcyclist
Occupant
Pedestrian
Bicyclists
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Who is at Risk for Crash-Related Injuries?
• Although most crash victims in New York State were vehicle occupants, a higher
percentage of bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists were injured
severely enough to require hospitalization.
In Niagara County:
• Although females are have a higher rate of outpatient ED visits, males are more
likely to have died or been hospitalized following a traffic crash.
• Traffic-related crash injuries occur in all age groups.
Rate per 100,000
Residents
Treatment at a Hospital Following a Crash
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
Niagara County Residents aged
15-24 had the highest rate of injury
following a crash.
<1
1-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
Age Group
20-24
For more detailed information on motor vehicle traffic crashes in
New York State:
Please see the detailed county tables provided at
www.health.ny.gov/prevention/injury_prevention/traffic
Or visit the Governors Traffic Safety Committee website at
www.safeny.com.
For additional questions or customized data requests, you may also
contact the NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Injury Prevention at
(518) 473-1143, [email protected].
25-44
45-64
65+
Motor vehicle crash
injuries are the leading
cause of injury related
deaths for Niagara
County Residents – and
they can be prevented!
Source: NYSDOH, Bureau of Injury Prevention
SPARCS GEN06MTH 2009
Vital Statistics Death File April 2009